Sen. Grassley Supports Reynolds Request for Federal Disaster Assistance for Iowa

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release:

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking that he promptly grant Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds' request for an expedited review of the major disaster declaration for the State of Iowa as a result of multiple cases of COVID-19 detected in the state. On March 17, 2020, Governor Reynolds declared a State of Public Health Emergency and the confirmed cases continue to rise.

"I'm pleased that Iowa is already receiving assistance under the National Emergency Declaration. However, this request for a Major Disaster Declaration can provide additional resources to the State of Iowa to help Iowans fight this virus," Grassley said.

Reynolds also requested activation of Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Crisis Counseling under the Individual Assistance program statewide; debris removal and emergency protective measures (Category A and B), including Direct Federal Assistance under the Public Assistance program statewide and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Grassley is providing Iowans with up-to-date information on the Coronavirus and access to resources on his website at https://www.grassley.senate.gov/coronavirus.

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Grassley's letter is available here and below.

March 20, 2020

The Honorable Donald J. Trump

President of the United States of America

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I respectfully ask that you promptly grant the request made by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds for an expedited review of the major disaster declaration for the State of Iowa as a result of multiple cases of COVID-19 detected in Iowa. On March 17, 2020, Governor Reynolds declared a State of Public Health Emergency and the confirmed cases continue to rise.

The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and supplementary federal assistance is necessary to save lives and to protect property, public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

United States Senator

Grassley Supports Reynolds Request for Federal Disaster Assistance for Iowa